FAQs

SC Youth ChalleNGe Academy is a tuition-free program.  Guardians are only responsible for purchasing a list of hygiene and toiletry items, undergarments, and other necessities.

During the application process, each applicant will choose one of three tracks for education. All options require withdrawal from the current school prior to attending SCYCA.

1. Credit Recovery (re-take previously failed required high school classes. Cadets who pass their classes transfer the credits back to their school)
2. Virtual School (enroll in a tuition-free virtual charter school instead of the cadet’s current school. Cadets continue enrollment in the virtual charter school as their public school for high school graduation even after SCYCA graduation)
3. GED (study GED adult education material for the GED test. Cadets who pass all four subjects- ELA, Social Studies, Science, and Math, earn their GED)

**Note- Special Education services and other accommodations are available (IEP, 504, BIP).

SCYCA graduates have one (1) year after Graduation Day to request a GED Voucher from the Academy to test at any testing center in South Carolina.  After one year, the graduate is responsible for paying for any GED tests.

The Admissions team will inform applicants of all required documents.

• Verification of Withdrawal Form (Richland One Adult Education)- Former school must complete this form for the applicant to be registered into SCYCA’s GED program and to allow SCYCA Education Department to administer the GED test under Richland One Adult Education
• Withdrawal form from school (School’s letterhead/stationary)- Letter or form issued by the former school to withdraw applicant

15 yr olds must enroll in Virtual School or Credit Recovery.

A packing list will be provided.

Must:

• Be at least twenty-one (21) years old
• Be the same gender as the cadet
• Live less than thirty (30) miles from the cadet’s home address
• Be a good role model
• Complete, sign, and return the entire Mentor Application
• Consent to undergo a background screening

A youth-initiated mentor is required for each cadet to participate in the full program. Consider all options in your community such as guidance counselors, former teachers/coaches, faith-based organizations, community organizations, neighbors, local fraternities/sororities, and club members. After exhausting those options, if you are unable to find a Mentor who is already familiar with the cadet, please contact our Volunteer/Mentor Coordinator at 803-299-4879. For additional support, it is ideal to have a Mentor matched on day one of the program.

Yes. A grandparent, aunt/uncle, or older cousin may serve as a mentor as long as they do not live in the same home as the cadet. However, immediate family members (Parent or Siblings and/or their significant others) cannot serve as mentors.

The Mentor follows the cadet during the 22.5 weeks of the Residential Phase and 12 months in Post-Residential Phase for a total of 17.5 months.

Mentor visits are virtual until further notice.  In-person visits will resume when the coronavirus pandemic is stabilized.

• Residential Phase- Weekly contact is encouraged from Day 1. Weekly contact is required starting in Week 14
• Post-Residential Phase- Monthly contact is required during the Post-Residential Phase

Note: Residential contact may be via US postal mail, Facebook Messenger, or during mentor pass.

Once a mentor is approved and trained, (s)he is ready to start meeting with the cadet.

1. 1. Approved: Passed the background check
   2. Trained: Completed Mentor training

Not to high school. A GED is the equivalent completing high school. The next step is vocational school, community or technical college, 2yr or 4yr college, or university.

While living on campus, cadets develop a written plan to execute during the post-residential phase.  Each cadet must have monthly contact with the approved mentor and is responsible for keeping positive placement.

Examples of positive placement options are:

• Return to campus to attend vocational courses in the SC Job ChalleNGe Academy. (Course lengths range from 2 months to 6 months)
• Return to the community to continue schooling, work, or become an active volunteer
• Enlist in the military

SCYCA cadet graduates must:

• Stay in positive placement
• Contact and follow the mentor’s guidance each month
• Provide the SCYCA Post-Residential Coordinator with proof of placement each month (paychecks, military enlistment paperwork, school enrollment documents, etc.)

SCYCA is an educational program that adopts the military structure.

No. The ChalleNGe is simply a dropout prevention option for students who struggle in a traditional high school setting. A standard of behavior is always expected.

See the applicant eligibility section.

16-18 years old on day one of the cycle even if they turn 19 while in the program. There are limited slots for 15-1/2-year-olds who will turn 16 by graduation day.

No.

The court will decide the disposition of charges. SCYCA has no bearing or influence on court officials.

SCYCA is non-therapeutic.  Applicants must have 6 to 12 months of successful mental health progress documented.  Records are reviewed to determine the Academy’s ability to support each applicant.

COVID-19 vaccination is currently not required; however, all cadets must test within a week of day one with a negative result. Cadets are also tested regularly while living on campus.

Yes. However, there must be another responsible adult willing to commit to being an emergency point of contact as well as transportation for drop-off and pick-up.

You will be given a packing list of clothing items to bring. After the first two weeks, you will be issued uniforms for daily wear.

Residential Phase– Cadets live on the SCYCA campus at McCrady National Guard Training Center grounds for 22.5 weeks.

Post-Residential Phase– Cadets return home and SCYCA follows up with cadets for 12 months after graduation to make sure each graduate is able to use the skills learned to get and keep a positive placement. Graduates of SCYCA may apply to Phase 2 of the program, SC Job ChalleNGe Academy and return to campus during Post-Residential to work on a vocational certificate (tuition-free).

No. This is a voluntary program. All cadets must agree to embrace the ChalleNGe and cannot be court-ordered or coerced by a guardian to attend.

SCYCA is a voluntary program, which requires a commitment from Day 1 for the cadet to graduate. We recognize that adapting to change is not easy, but it is worth it.  If a cadet starts to lose the desire to finish, we keep our commitment to give each cadet our greatest support to stay focused on their goals and not give up.

(List does not include all opportunities)

• Community service hours
• Possible scholarships
• Cadet leadership positions
• Field trips, activities and events
• Platoon competitions
• Public speaking
• Clubs

Cadets live on campus to work on 8 core components that instill discipline and critical thinking skills.

No. Due to the pandemic and in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, cadets remain onsite for the Residential Phase. (Subject to change based on results of the pandemic and at the discretion of the SCYCA Director)

Non-emergency visits are discouraged.  Other than planned events, guardians are encouraged to communicate with cadets through US postal mail and Facebook Messenger.  The primary contact is the assigned Case Manager.

Yes. Phone calls are allowed after Week 6 of the program.  This is to allow cadets to adapt to the quasi-military structure and focus on school, and start the process of personal growth.

Yes. As a quasi-military program, our national guidelines require that all cadets take the ASVAB test.  This test is not only the military entrance exam but is also used as a career assessment tool.

A Dietician determines a daily meal plan that is in line with the  Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.  The Dining Facility (DFAC) prepares breakfast, lunch, and dinner for cadets and provides snacks. The meals are well-balanced and nutritional.

SCYCA will introduce military structure, drill and ceremony, rank and chain of command knowledge, ASVAB testing, and opportunities to meet recruiters from all branches of service. The enlistment process can begin at SCYCA for those who are eligible.